Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has welcomed news that the Australian government is re-opening discussions with the European Union regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but warns that our agricultural industry should not be compromised in doing so.

“While this news will be welcome in many corners due to the uncertainty created for markets across the globe by the tariffs imposed by the United States, it is vital that any deal does not sell out the interests of Australia’s farmers, winemakers, grape growers and other agricultural industries,” she cautioned.

“Some 60 per cent of Australia’s Prosecco is grown in Indi, an industry which was under threat in the proposal put forward by the European Union in the last round of negotiations.

“I fought tooth and nail together with our local winemakers for them to retain the ability to use the name Prosecco and the government was right to walk away from the deal at that time.

“What was on the table in 2023 did not represent a good deal or fair trade for Australian winemakers.

“With this renewed opportunity, I encourage the Trade Minister, Don Farrell, to negotiate in the bests interest of our growers and winemakers.

“It is better to have no deal than to sign up to a bad deal for Australia. A deal that sells out Prosecco is a bad deal for Australia.”

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 10 April 2025.